U.S. patent application number 16/980766 was filed with the patent office on 2021-11-25 for actuator comprising anti-backbend chain.
This patent application is currently assigned to IWIS Antriebssysteme GmbH & Co. KG. The applicant listed for this patent is IWIS Antriebssysteme GmbH & Co. KG. Invention is credited to FLORIAN MADLENER, JOEL TCHAWEU TCHATCHOUA, THOMAS WOLF.
Application Number | 20210364068 16/980766 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 1000005814189 |
Filed Date | 2021-11-25 |
United States Patent
Application |
20210364068 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
WOLF; THOMAS ; et
al. |
November 25, 2021 |
ACTUATOR COMPRISING ANTI-BACKBEND CHAIN
Abstract
An actuator includes first and second structural units arranged
independently of one another. An engagement means is arranged in
the first structural unit. A drive motor is in driving relationship
to the engagement means and arranged in the first structural unit.
An anti-backbend chain is in engagement with the engagement means,
and a chain depot is arranged in the second structural unit.
Inventors: |
WOLF; THOMAS; (Munchen,
DE) ; MADLENER; FLORIAN; (Furstenfeldbruck, DE)
; TCHAWEU TCHATCHOUA; JOEL; (Puchheim, DE) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
IWIS Antriebssysteme GmbH & Co. KG |
81369 Munchen |
|
DE |
|
|
Assignee: |
IWIS Antriebssysteme GmbH & Co.
KG
81369 Munchen
DE
|
Family ID: |
1000005814189 |
Appl. No.: |
16/980766 |
Filed: |
February 22, 2019 |
PCT Filed: |
February 22, 2019 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/EP2019/054427 |
371 Date: |
September 14, 2020 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
E05Y 2201/656 20130101;
F16H 19/0636 20130101; E05Y 2900/148 20130101; F16G 13/20 20130101;
E05F 15/619 20150115; E05Y 2201/724 20130101 |
International
Class: |
F16H 19/06 20060101
F16H019/06 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Mar 2, 2018 |
DE |
10 2018 104 768.1 |
Claims
1.-24. (canceled)
25. An actuator, comprising: first and second structural units
arranged independently of one another; an engagement means arranged
in the first structural unit; a drive motor in driving relationship
to the engagement means, said the drive motor being arranged in the
first structural unit; an anti-backbend chain in engagement with
the engagement means; and a chain depot arranged in the second
structural unit.
26. The actuator of claim 25, wherein the chain depot comprises a
housing, said anti-backbend chain being configured for being stowed
in the housing.
27. The actuator of claim 26, wherein the housing an opening for
passage of the anti-backbend chain into the housing.
28. The actuator of claim 26, wherein the housing is made of
multiple parts.
29. The actuator of claim 25, further comprising a guide element
arranged in the chain depot.
30. The actuator of claim 29, wherein the guide element is
configured to deflect the anti-backbend chain in an unloaded
portion of the anti-backbend chain.
31. The actuator of claim 25, wherein the anti-backbend chain is
configured for deflection in the chain depot in two chain portions
which run parallel to one another.
32. The actuator of claim 25, wherein the anti-backbend chain
includes a chain portion configured for accommodation in the chain
depot and having a length which corresponds to at least 0.5 times,
preferably 0.7 times and particularly preferably 0.8 times, a
maximum stroke length of the actuator.
33. The actuator of claim 25, wherein the anti-backbend chain has
an end which is remote from operation and fastened in a region of
the chain depot.
34. The actuator of claim 33, wherein the operation-remote end of
the anti-backbend chain is positioned in the chain depot when the
actuator assumes a maximum extended stroke.
35. The actuator of claim 25, wherein the first structural unit has
a housing, said second structural unit being arranged outside the
housing of the first structural unit.
36. The actuator of claim 35, wherein the housing is configured to
enclose the drive motor and the engagement means.
37. The actuator of claim 25, wherein the first structural unit is
arranged separately from the second structural unit.
38. The actuator of claim 25, wherein the first structural unit and
the second structural unit each have a fastening element.
39. The actuator of claim 25, wherein the second structural unit is
positioned and/or fastened independently of the first structural
unit.
40. The actuator of claim 25, wherein the second structural unit is
positioned and/or fastened at a distance from the first structural
unit.
41. The actuator of claim 25, wherein the anti-backbend chain has a
longitudinal chain axis, said first structural unit being
configured for positioning and/or fastening in relation to the
second structural unit such that the longitudinal chain axis of a
chain portion of the anti-backbend chain has, in a region of
engagement of the engagement means in the anti-backbend chain, a
different position and/or orientation than the longitudinal chain
axis of a chain portion of the anti-backbend chain in a region of
the chain depot.
42. The actuator of claim 25, further comprising a connecting
element configured for arrangement between the first structural
unit and the second structural unit.
43. The actuator of claim 42, wherein the connecting element is
connectable to the first structural unit and/or the second
structural unit.
44. The actuator of claim 42, wherein the connecting element is
designed as a guide element configured to guide the anti-backbend
chain between the first structural unit and the second structural
unit.
45. The actuator of claim 42, wherein the connecting element is
designed as a guide element configured to deflect the anti-backbend
chain between the first structural unit and the second structural
unit.
46. The actuator of claim 42, wherein the connecting element is
designed as a rail.
47. The actuator of claim 42, wherein the connecting element is
designed as a tube.
48. The actuator of claim 42, wherein the connecting element is
designed to be flexibly bendable.
Description
[0001] The Invention relates to an actuator comprising an
anti-backbend chain, a drive motor, an engagement means which can
be driven by the drive motor, the anti-backbend chain being in
engagement with the drive means, and a chain depot.
PRIOR ART
[0002] DE 20221581 U1 discloses an actuator which moves an
anti-backbend chain by means of a spindle driven by a motor. The
actuator is used to open and close a window sash, for example. The
electric motor is provided with a transmission and drives the
spindle substantially as an extension of the motor. The chain is
also accommodated mainly as an extension of the electric motor
along the spindle with which the chain is in engagement. The stroke
movement of this actuator takes place substantially perpendicularly
to the spindle axis. For this purpose, the anti-backbend chain is
deflected in front of the electric motor and guided to the outside,
where it is then connected to the element to be operated, e.g. a
window sash. This leads to a very slim design of the actuator,
although this takes up a considerable length.
[0003] A hand-operated version of an actuator comprising an
anti-backbend chain is known from DE714768. Here, too, the chain is
deflected such that the chain is unfavorably accommodated.
[0004] DE 10 2016 000 568 A1 discloses an actuator comprising an
anti-backbend chain having a worm that can be driven by the drive
motor, the anti-backbend chain of which actuator is guided along
the drive motor at least in part. The chain depot is located
laterally along the drive motor, in which depot the end of the
chain remote from operation is guided back and forth.
[0005] The document DE 10 2016 000 566 A1 describes an actuator
comprising an anti-backbend chain having a hollow worm which is
driven by a drive motor and which is in engagement with the
anti-backbend chain. The chain depot is located behind the drive
motor.
[0006] In the known actuators comprising an anti-backbend chain,
the accommodation of the chain leads to a space-consuming
construction and, depending on the direction of shear force, to not
entirely insignificant wear.
[0007] It is therefore the object of the present invention to
provide an actuator of the type mentioned at the outset which
offers expanded possibilities for accommodating chains and has
little wear.
[0008] The object is achieved by the method according to the
invention in accordance with claim 1.
[0009] The actuator according to the invention comprises a drive
motor, an engagement means which can be driven by the drive motor,
and a chain depot. The engagement means is in engagement with an
anti-backbend chain and transmits the power of the drive motor.
According to the invention, the actuator is designed such that the
actuator comprises a first and a second structural unit. The drive
motor and the engagement means are arranged in the first structural
unit, and the chain depot is arranged in the second structural
unit. The first structural unit can be arranged independently of
the arrangement of the second structural unit. Because of this
separate design, it is possible in particular to make the
installation space of the actuator small. In addition, it is
possible to adapt to the spatial conditions in which the actuator
is to be used. The dimensions of the actuator can be long and
narrow, for example, or short and wide. The flexibility of the
design of the actuator allows possibilities for accommodating the
actuator which are not possible or are only possible to a limited
extent with the solutions known from the prior art.
[0010] Further advantageous developments of the invention are set
out in the dependent claims, claims 2 to 22.
[0011] In a further embodiment of the invention, the chain depot
comprises a second housing in which the anti-backbend chain can be
stowed. The second housing protects the region of the chain remote
from operation from contamination and at the same time forms a
privacy screen.
[0012] In a further embodiment of the invention, the second housing
has an opening through which the anti-backbend chain can be
inserted. The opening also serves as a guide for the chain, as the
end of the anti-backbend chain remote from operation is positioned
in the chain depot at maximum extended stroke of the actuator. It
is not necessary to guide the anti-backbend chain into the chain
depot.
[0013] In a further embodiment of the invention, the second housing
has a multi-part design. This has the advantage that, in the event
of service or repair, the chain is also easily accessible in the
chain depot, since only part of the second housing has to be
removed or opened.
[0014] In a further embodiment of the invention, a guide element is
arranged in the chain depot. In a further aspect of the invention,
the guide element is suitable for deflecting the anti-backbend
chain in the unloaded portion of the anti-backbend chain. It is
thus possible to guide the two chain portions at an angle to one
another by means of the guide element. Due to the different design
options for the guide element, it is possible to flexibly adapt to
the spatial conditions in which the actuator is used.
[0015] In a further embodiment of the invention, the anti-backbend
chain in the chain depot can be deflected and stored in two chain
portions running parallel to one another. Deflecting the
anti-backbend chain into two parallel chain portions is
particularly space-saving.
[0016] In a further embodiment of the invention, a chain portion of
the anti-backbend chain can be accommodated in the chain depot, the
length of which portion corresponds to at least 0.5 times,
preferably 0.7 times and particularly preferably 0.8 times, the
maximum stroke length of the actuator. To reduce the length of the
actuator, the largest possible region of the length of the
anti-backbend chain can be accommodated in the chain depot. The
total length of the actuator in the retracted state of the
anti-backbend chain is considerably reduced at maximum retracted
stroke of the actuator.
[0017] In a further embodiment of the invention, the end of the
anti-backbend chain remote from operation is fastened in the region
of the chain depot. In a further embodiment of the invention, the
end of the anti-backbend chain remote from operation is positioned
in the chain depot at maximum extended stroke of the actuator. Due
to the positioning of the end of the anti-backbend chain remote
from operation in the chain depot, it is not necessary to guide the
anti-backbend chain into the chain depot while the stroke length is
being reduced. The unloaded region of the anti-backbend chain moves
into the chain depot due to its inherent rigidity.
[0018] In a further embodiment of the invention, the first
structural unit has a first housing, the second structural unit
being arranged outside the first housing of the first structural
unit. This has the advantage that the first structural unit can be
positioned independently of the second structural unit.
[0019] In a further development according to the invention, the
first housing encloses the drive motor and the engagement means.
This has the advantage that the first structural unit with the
sensitive electronic components is protected from
contamination.
[0020] In a particularly advantageous embodiment of the invention,
the first structural unit can be arranged separately from the
second structural unit. The first and second structural units can
be attached at an angle with respect to one another, for example.
The flexibility of the design of the actuator allows possibilities
for accommodating the actuator which are not possible or are only
possible to a limited extent with the solutions known from the
prior art.
[0021] In a further aspect of the invention, the first and second
structural units each have at least one fastening element. The
first and second structural units are fastened to a connecting
element, for example a base plate, by fastening elements. Due to
this construction of the actuator, the actuator can be installed as
an independent unit for many applications and can be exchanged
quickly and inexpensively if necessary.
[0022] In a further particularly advantageous embodiment of the
invention, the second structural unit can be positioned and/or
fastened independently of the first structural unit. The second
structural unit can be attached at any angle with respect to the
first structural unit, and the actuator can thus be flexible.
[0023] In a further advantageous embodiment of the invention, the
second structural unit can be positioned and/or fastened at a
distance from the first structural unit. The second structural unit
can be attached at a distance from the first structural unit. Only
the length of the anti-backbend chain has to be adjusted depending
on the distance between the two structural units.
[0024] In a further advantageous embodiment of the invention, the
anti-backbend chain has a longitudinal chain axis. The first
structural unit can be positioned and/or fastened in relation to
the second structural unit such that the longitudinal chain axis of
a chain portion of the anti-backbend chain has, in the region of
engagement of the engagement means in the anti-backbend chain, a
different position and/or orientation than the longitudinal chain
axis of a chain portion of the anti-backbend chain in the region of
the chain depot. The anti-backbend chain is therefore curved in the
region between the first and second structural units. This
advantageous design reduces the overall length and increases the
flexibility of the shape of the actuator.
[0025] In a further embodiment of the invention, the actuator has a
connecting element which can be arranged between the first and
second structural units. In a further embodiment of the invention,
the connecting element can be connected to the first and second
structural units. The connecting element thus connects the first
and second structural units. This has the advantage that the two
structural units can already be positioned in relation to one
another during pre-assembly using the connecting element in a
manner that is advantageous for use. Assembly then takes place in
the pre-assembled state of the first and second structural units
together with the connecting element. The connecting element can
also optionally have fastening means that can be used for
assembly.
[0026] In a further aspect of the invention, the connecting element
is designed as a guide element and is suitable for guiding the
anti-backbend chain between the first and second structural
units.
[0027] In a further embodiment of the invention, the connecting
element is designed as a guide element and is suitable for
deflecting the anti-backbend chain between the first and second
structural units. This is particularly necessary when the
anti-backbend chain is to be guided in a curved manner in the
region between the first and second structural units. The curvature
of the anti-backbend chain reduces the overall length of the
actuator.
[0028] In a further embodiment of the invention, the connecting
element is designed as a rail. By suitable choice of the material
of the guide element, the friction between the anti-backbend chain
and the guide element can be reduced. The guide element can also be
designed to be exchangeable.
[0029] In a further embodiment of the invention, the connecting
element is designed as a tube. A tubular connecting element
prevents contamination of the anti-backbend chain in the region
between the first and second structural units.
[0030] In a further embodiment of the invention, the connecting
element is flexibly bendable and consists of a polymer, for
example. As a result of this design, the second structural unit can
be positioned flexibly in a large angular range in relation to the
first structural unit.
[0031] Embodiments of the device according to the invention are
shown in the drawings in a schematically simplified manner and are
explained in more detail in the following description.
[0032] In the drawings:
[0033] FIG. 1 shows an embodiment of an actuator according to the
invention,
[0034] FIG. 2 shows an embodiment of an actuator according to the
invention having a connecting element and modular structure,
[0035] FIG. 3 shows an embodiment of an actuator according to the
invention having a guide element that is positioned in the chain
depot,
[0036] FIG. 4 shows the position of the anti-backbend chain at
minimum stroke (FIG. 4a) and maximum stroke (FIG. 4b) of the
actuator,
[0037] FIG. 5 shows an embodiment of an actuator according to the
invention having a tubular connecting element,
[0038] FIG. 6 is a detailed view of the second structural unit.
[0039] An embodiment of the actuator 1 according to the invention
is shown in FIG. 1. The actuator 1 comprises two structural units.
The first structural unit 2 has a drive motor 4 and an engagement
means 7. To increase the torque and reduce the speed of the drive
motor 4, a transmission 6 is installed in the first structural unit
2, which transmission is connected to the drive motor 4 by a drive
shaft 5. The first structural unit 2 is accommodated in a housing 8
for protection. The engagement means 7 engages in the engagement
region 13 in an anti-backbend chain 3, which is designed here as an
outer link chain. The anti-backbend chain 3 has inner chain links 9
connected via outer chain links 10. Chain pins 12 connect an outer
chain link 10 to an inner chain link 9. Stiffening tabs 11 restrict
bending of the anti-backbend chain 3 only in one direction. In
order to pass the anti-backbend chain 3 through the first
structural unit 2, the first housing 8 has openings 8.1, 8.2 on
opposite sides. The second structural unit 14 has the chain depot
15. The second structural unit 14 is advantageously also
accommodated in a second housing 16. An opening 17 is arranged in
the second housing 16 for passing the anti-backbend chain 3
through. The two housings 8, 16 are arranged separately from one
another and do not enclose one another. The first structural unit 2
is not connected to the second structural unit 14, so that the two
structural units can be positioned independently of one
another.
[0040] In this embodiment, the anti-backbend chain 3 is positioned
helically with its maximum length in the unloaded region of the
anti-backbend chain 3 in the chain depot 15 at minimum stroke of
the actuator 1. Because the anti-backbend chain 3 can only be bent
in one direction, when the stroke is reduced by the first
structural unit 2, i.e. when the length of the unloaded region of
the anti-backbend chain 3 is increased, the anti-backbend chain 3
is necessarily guided into the chain depot 15 in a worm shape and
accommodated. The chain depot 15 is dimensioned such that a chain
length can be accommodated in the chain depot 15, which length
particularly preferably corresponds to 0.8 times the maximum stroke
length of the actuator 1. The total length of the actuator 1 in the
retracted state of the anti-backbend chain 3 is considerably
reduced at maximum retracted stroke of the actuator 1. In
particular, the first structural unit 2 can be positioned
separately and at a distance from the second structural unit 14.
Only the length of the anti-backbend chain 3 has to be adjusted
depending on the distance between the two structural units.
[0041] FIG. 2 shows an embodiment of the actuator 1 according to
the invention in which the first structural unit 2 and second
structural unit 14 are designed as modules. The first structural
unit 2 has a drive motor 4 and an engagement means 7. To increase
the torque and reduce the speed of the drive motor 4, a
transmission 6 is Installed in the first structural unit 2, which
transmission is connected to the drive motor 4 by a drive shaft 5.
The first structural unit 2 is accommodated in a first housing 8
for protection. The engagement means 7 engages in the engagement
region 13 in an anti-backbend chain 3, which is designed here as an
outer link chain. The anti-backbend chain 3 has inner chain links 9
connected via outer chain links 10. Chain pins 12 connect an outer
chain link 10 to an inner chain link 9. Stiffening tabs 11 restrict
bending of the anti-backbend chain 3 only in one direction. In
order to pass the anti-backbend chain 3 through the first
structural unit 2, the first housing 8 has openings 8.1, 8.2 on
opposite sides.
[0042] The second structural unit 14 has the chain depot 15. The
second structural unit 14 is also accommodated in a second housing
16. An opening 17 is arranged in the second housing 16 for passing
the anti-backbend chain 3 through. The first structural unit 2 and
second structural unit 14 are, in their respective housings 8, 16,
fastened to a connecting element 19 by fastening elements 20. The
distance and orientation of the two structural units 2, 14 each
arranged in separate housings 8, 16 can be freely selected. Due to
this construction of the actuator 1, the actuator 1 can be
installed as an independent unit for many applications and can be
exchanged quickly and inexpensively if necessary.
[0043] In order to keep the overall length of the actuator 1 as
small as possible, it is advantageous to guide the anti-backbend
chain 3 between the first structural unit 2 and second structural
unit 14 in a curved manner, i.e. to position the second structural
unit 14 such that the longitudinal chain axis of a chain portion of
the anti-backbend chain has 3, in the region of engagement of the
engagement means 7 in the anti-backbend chain 3, a different
position and/or orientation than the longitudinal chain axis of a
chain portion of the anti-backbend chain 3 in the region of the
chain depot 15. In this embodiment, a guide element 18 is therefore
arranged between the first structural unit 2 and second structural
unit 14. The guide element 18 is designed as a rail. By suitable
choice of the material of the guide element 18, the friction
between the anti-backbend chain 3 and the guide element 18 can be
reduced. The guide element 18 can also be designed to be
exchangeable.
[0044] In this embodiment, the second housing 16 of the chain depot
15 has a multi-part design. The second housing 16 has a further
guide element 18.1. This guide element 18.1 deflects the portion of
the anti-backbend chain 3 in the chain depot 15 such that the
anti-backbend chain 3 is stored in two chain portions running
substantially parallel to one another. This achieves a short
overall length of the actuator 1.
[0045] FIG. 3 shows a further embodiment of the actuator 1
according to the invention having a guide element 18 which is
positioned in the chain depot 15. The first structural unit 2 has a
drive motor 4 and an engagement means 7. To increase the torque and
reduce the speed of the drive motor 4, a transmission 6 is
installed in the first structural unit 2, which transmission is
connected to the drive motor 4 by a drive shaft 5. The first
structural unit 2 is accommodated in a first housing 8 for
protection. The engagement means 7 engages in the engagement region
13 in an anti-backbend chain 3, which is designed here as an outer
link chain. The anti-backbend chain 3 has inner chain links 9
connected via outer chain links 10. Chain pins 12 connect an outer
chain link 10 to an inner chain link 9. Stiffening tabs 11 restrict
bending of the anti-backbend chain 3 only in one direction. In
order to pass the anti-backbend chain 3 through the first
structural unit 2, the first housing 8 has openings 8.1, 8.2 on
opposite sides.
[0046] The second structural unit 14 has the chain depot 15. The
second structural unit 14 is also accommodated in a second housing
16. An opening 17 is arranged in the second housing 16 for passing
the anti-backbend chain 3 through. The anti-backbend chain 3 is
guided into the chain depot 15 in a curved manner. The guide
element 18 is flexible and positioned in the chain depot 15. This
guiding causes a different alignment of the longitudinal chain axis
KL1 of the chain portion of the anti-backbend chain 3 in the region
of engagement of the engagement means 7 with respect to the
longitudinal chain axis KL2 of a chain portion of the anti-backbend
chain 3 in the region of the chain depot 15. This manner of guiding
of the anti-backbend chain 3 allows a short overall length of the
actuator 1.
[0047] FIG. 4 shows the position of the anti-backbend chain 3 at
minimum stroke (FIG. 4a) and maximum stroke MH (FIG. 4b) of the
actuator 1. The first structural unit 2 has a drive motor 4 and an
engagement means 7. To increase the torque and reduce the speed of
the drive motor 4, a transmission 6 is installed in the first
structural unit 2, which transmission is connected to the drive
motor 4 by a drive shaft 5. The first structural unit 2 is
accommodated in a first housing 8 for protection. The engagement
means 7 engages in the engagement region 13 in an anti-backbend
chain 3, which is designed here as an outer link chain. The
anti-backbend chain 3 has inner chain links 9 connected via outer
chain links 10. Chain pins 12 connect an outer chain link 10 to an
inner chain link 9. Stiffening tabs 11 restrict bending of the
anti-backbend chain 3 only in one direction. In order to pass the
anti-backbend chain 3 through the first structural unit 2, the
first housing 8 has openings 8.1, 8.2 on opposite sides.
[0048] The second structural unit 14 has the chain depot 15. The
second structural unit 14 is also accommodated in a second housing
16. An opening 17 is arranged in the second housing 16 for passing
the anti-backbend chain 3 through. The two structural units 2, 14
with their respective housings 8, 16 can be positioned
independently of one another. At minimum stroke of the actuator 1
(FIG. 4a), a maximum portion of the unloaded region of the
anti-backbend chain 3 is located in the chain depot 15. If the
stroke movement of the actuator 1 is at a maximum (FIG. 4b), the
end of the anti-backbend chain 3 remote from operation is
positioned in the chain depot 15.
[0049] The chain depot can also have a sensor, for example via
position elements attached to the anti-backbend chain 3, which
monitors the position of the anti-backbend chain 3. The sensor then
ensures a corresponding control of the drive motor 4, which
switches oft the drive motor 4 when the maximum stroke length MH of
the actuator 1 is reached. Due to the positioning of the end of the
anti-backbend chain 3 remote from operation in the chain depot 15,
it is not necessary to guide the anti-backbend chain 3 into the
chain depot 15 while the stroke length is being reduced. The
unloaded region of the anti-backbend chain 3 moves into the chain
depot 15 due to its inherent rigidity.
[0050] An embodiment of the actuator 1 according to the invention
having a tubular connecting element 19 is shown in FIG. 5. The
first structural unit 2 has a drive motor 4 and an engagement means
7. To increase the torque and reduce the speed of the drive motor
4, a transmission 6 is installed in the first structural unit 2,
which transmission is connected to the drive motor 4 by a drive
shaft 5. The first structural unit 2 is accommodated in a first
housing 8 for protection. The engagement means 7 engages in the
engagement region 13 in an anti-backbend chain 3, which is designed
here as an outer link chain. The anti-backbend chain 3 has inner
chain links 9 connected via outer chain links 10. Chain pins 12
connect an outer chain link 10 to an inner chain link 9. Stiffening
tabs 11 restrict bending of the anti-backbend chain 3 only in one
direction. In order to pass the anti-backbend chain 3 through the
first structural unit 2, the first housing 8 has openings 8.1, 8.2
on opposite sides.
[0051] The second structural unit 14 has the chain depot 15. The
second structural unit 14 is also accommodated in a second housing
16. An opening 17 is arranged in the second housing 16 for passing
the anti-backbend chain 3 through. A tubular connecting element 19
is attached between the opening of the second housing 16 of the
second structural unit 14 and the opening 8.2 of the first housing
8 of the first structural unit 8 nearest thereto, which connecting
element connects the first structural unit 2 and second structural
unit 14 to one another. This connecting element 19 can also be
flexible and bendable, for example made of a polymer. As a result
of this design, the second structural unit 14 can be positioned in
a large angular range in relation to the first structural unit
2.
[0052] A detailed view of the second structural unit 14 is shown in
FIG. 6. The second structural unit 14 has the chain depot 15 and is
accommodated in a second housing 16. An opening 17 is arranged in
the second housing 16 for passing the anti-backbend chain 3
through. The second housing 16 of the chain depot 16 has a
multi-part design. The second housing 16 has a guide element 18.1
which deflects the portion of the anti-backbend chain 3 in the
chain depot 15 such that the anti-backbend chain 3 is stored in two
chain portions. In this embodiment, the longitudinal chain axes
KL1, KL2 of the two portions 3.1, 3.2 run substantially parallel to
one another. However, if the guide element 18.1 is designed
accordingly, it is also possible to guide the two chain portions
3.1, 3.2 at an angle to one another. Due to the different design
options for the guide element 18.1, it is possible to flexibly
adapt to the spatial conditions in which the actuator 1 is to be
used. The flexibility of the design of the actuator 1 allows
possibilities for accommodating the actuator 1 which are not
possible or are only possible to a limited extent with the
solutions known from the prior art.
LIST OF REFERENCE SIGNS
[0053] 1 actuator [0054] 2 first structural unit [0055] 3
anti-backbend chain [0056] 3.1, 3.2, 3.3, chain portion [0057] 3.4,
3.5 [0058] 4 drive motor [0059] 5 drive shaft [0060] 6 transmission
[0061] 7 engagement means [0062] 8 first housing of the first
structural unit [0063] 8.1, 8.2 opening in the first housing of the
first structural unit [0064] 9 inner chain link [0065] 10 outer
chain link [0066] 11 stiffening tabs [0067] 12 chain pins [0068] 13
engagement region [0069] 14 second structural unit [0070] 15 chain
depot [0071] 16 second housing of the second structural unit [0072]
17 opening in the second housing of the second structural unit
[0073] 18, 18.1 guide element [0074] 19 connecting element [0075]
fastening element [0076] MH maximum stroke of the actuator [0077]
KL, KL1, KL2 longitudinal chain axis
* * * * *